Admitting that there was a high incidence of migration for better livelihoods in the Lambani community, Jalaja Naik, Chairperson, Karnataka Tanda Development Corporation (KTDC), has said that the Corporation has decided to encourage self-employment programmes for people of the community to prevent their migration.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, she said that the Corporation was contemplating to give cows to the people of the community so they could involve in dairy activity.

She said dairy farming would bring additional revenue to families, which could prevent them from migrating to other States for earning a livelihood.

Lamenting that the traditional art of the Lambani community has not gained enough popularity in handicraft sector, Ms. Naik said that the Corporation would like to set up at least 12 handicraft centres to promote cottage industry among Lambanis.

She said, “These centres would purchase the handicraft materials from the community and sell to buyers. This will have a twin objective. While it brings extra money to the community, it also popularises traditional arts”.

Ms. Naik said that since the community has many women who have not completed SSLC, the Corporation would offer tailoring training to them to help them become self-employed.

“During the training, the women will be given a stipend of Rs. 1,500. A decision will later be taken on supplying sewing machines as it needs government approval”, she said.

She said that the government has allocated an amount of Rs. 56 crore annual budget to the Corporation, and said that she has urged the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah to augment to at least Rs. 200 in the coming budget. eom

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Firoz Rozindar /  Vijayapura – January 28th, 2015